What Is Orzo—and How Do You Cook It?
Learn all about this tiny pasta.
bhofack2/Getty Images
The award for the most underrated pasta shape should probably be given to orzo. This tiny but mighty noodle could disguise itself as rice, but it’s something else entirely. It’s pasta! Typically made from durum wheat semolina, orzo is a short cut pasta that belongs in so many dishes and cuisines. Depending on the maker, orzo can be flatter, thinner, longer, or more rotund, each rendition offering its own texture and taste to the orzo cannon.
Orzo is no stranger to social media, and with the rise of orzo’s popularity, many specialty types of orzo have also surfaced. Zelli Pasta makes bronze extruded orzo from Arkansas-grown grains, designed to really clutch onto the pasta sauce. Loi Pasta’s Kritharaki Orzo is made to pair with Greek dishes, such as in soups or with braised meats and veggies. And RiceSelect sells a tub of photogenic tricolor orzo. The list goes on and on. And once you start cooking with orzo, well, it can become an obsession.
Here’s everything you need to know about orzo.
Related: How Long to Cook Pasta Based on the Shape
What Is Orzo?
Orzo is rice-shaped pasta originating from Italy. It’s considered “pastina” or tiny pasta, by Italians. Orzo is typically sold dry, in a box, and found in the pasta aisle of most supermarkets. In Italy, orzo is also called risoni, as “orzo” literally translates to barley. Orzotto is an Italian risotto-like dish, typically made with pearled barley, not orzo pasta. In America, orzotto may also refer to an orzo dish.
Nutritional Benefits of Orzo
Orzo has the same nutritional content as pasta, as it’s made from the same ingredient, semolina wheat, which has a small amount of fiber and protein, and some carbohydrates.
Orzo also comes in several higher protein and higher fiber varieties, such as whole wheat orzo and specialty gluten-free versions like Barilla’s chickpea orzo or Jovial’s grain-free cassava orzo.
Orzo may be a nice gateway into tasting whole wheat and alternative pasta, and any type of orzo can also be a nice base for a veggie-filled pasta salad. Orzo cooked in bone broth can also provide additional nutrients, like protein and collagen.
How to Cook Orzo
Orzo can be prepared in a variety of ways. The easiest method is to prepare orzo like any other pasta. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and then stir in orzo. Cook according to package directions, stirring occasionally to keep orzo from clumping. Depending on thickness, orzo typically cooks in about 8-10 minutes. Drain, but do not rinse the orzo. Return to the pot and season according to your recipe. If you’re not planning on using the orzo immediately (perhaps adding it to a salad or soup later on), return the orzo to the pot and drizzle a bit of olive oil on it, stirring it in to prevent the orzo from sticking. Refrigerate in a covered container until ready to enjoy.
Related: 45 Perfect Pasta Recipes You'll Want to Make for Dinner Tonight (and Every Night)
Orzo can also be cooked in broth for more flavor, or used in dishes where it will absorb liquid while cooking. Uncooked orzo can be added to broth-based soups, or as a base to many baked dishes with an equal ratio of liquid.
Orzo Recipes
Now that you know all about orzo, here are some orzo recipes so you can experiment with different ways to cook the small yet delicious grain.
Orzo Tomato Salad
Orzo is so perfect for pasta salad because it holds its shape and also slowly absorbs flavor. This salad combines chilled roasted tomatoes with a tangy vinaigrette, plus pine nuts and cheese for crunch and richness.
Orzo With Shrimp and Olives
Fred Hardy
Are you on the Mediterranean sea or did you just cook up this dish? Whisk yourself to the European coast with this dish inspired by Greek salad. It’s briny, it’s comforting, it’s full of nutrients, and swaps lettuce for orzo. Perfection.
Mushroom and Burrata Orzotto
Greg DuPree
Orzo cooks much faster than arborio rice, and makes for a nice pasta-centric risotto substitute. This dish feels like a hug, but is also elegant, thanks to the herb roasted mushrooms and torn burrata on top. Fresh parsley and a drizzle of good olive oil tie it all together.
Related: 15 Recipes For Nachos You’ll Want to Make ASAP
Lemony Fish With Orzotto
This two-pan stovetop dinner combines seared fish with creamy orzo, all of which cooks simultaneously. Just before serving, the orzo is mixed with cream, cheese, peas, and lemon for a bright flavor for the white fish to rest on.
Squash, Mushroom, and Kale Soup With Dill
Orzo is so good in any soup, and this plant-based, veggie filled soup is no exception. Vegetable broth is filled with sautéed mushrooms and butternut squash, seasoned and simmered. Orzo cooks directly in the soup, and the greens are wilted into the pot just before serving.
Chicken Piccata With Mushrooms and Brussels Sprouts
It’s absolutely wild that this wonderful and cozy meal comes together in half an hour. Mushrooms and Brussels sprouts are seared in the same pan as the chicken breasts, which is then used to make a caper and lemon sauce. Everything is served over cooked orzo.
For more Real Simple news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!
Read the original article on Real Simple.
